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Bezzecchi wins in Indonesia as Martin retakes MotoGP championship lead / Photo: © AFP
Bezzecchi wins in Indonesia as Martin retakes MotoGP championship lead
Marco Bezzecchi stormed to victory in Indonesia on Sunday as Jorge Martin was third to retake the lead from Marc Marquez in the MotoGP world championship.
The Italian Bezzecchi, riding an Aprilia, made his move on pole-sitter Raul Fernandez in the final third of a captivating grand prix at a sweltering Mandalika International Circuit.
Spain's Fernandez came home second and compatriot Martin third, also riding Aprilia bikes.
Ducati's reigning seven-time world champion Marquez finished sixth.
That meant Martin retook the lead in the championship from Marquez by two points, with five more race weekends after this.
Bezzecchi is still in the championship title hunt in third.
Fernandez, having to use his middle finger to brake after fracturing an index finger in Saturday's sprint, got away cleanly from his first-ever pole.
That was a relief after he and Bezzecchi, who started alongside him on the grid, clashed and crashed out in the sprint.
The sprint was won by Marquez to grab the championship lead for the first time from compatriot Martin.
After a third of the 27 laps in the grand prix, Fernandez kept the fellow Aprilia of Bezzecchi at bay despite his injury.
Former world champion Martin was running third, with title rival Marquez looming in fifth.
Fernandez, who had two previous MotoGP victories, kept his cool under tremendous pressure from Bezzecchi until lap 19, when the Italian made his move to grasp the lead.
Bezzecchi streaked away from there as Fernandez gamely hung on for second.
Australia hosts the next race in a fortnight.
N.Son--SG
